Vote No Borders disables comments on videos after featured Union supporters
are personally attacked for views on Scottish independence

A new pro-UK group has been forced to stop people commenting under its online videos after volunteers expressing support for Britain were subjected to personal abuse from Nationalists.

Scots who agreed to be filmed speaking openly about their UK support for Vote No Borders were called "racist" and labelled "Unionist bulls******s" in a string of vitriolic messages.

Internet users attacked one volunteer over his size, mocked another for his thick Scottish accent and ridiculed a third for getting emotional at the thought of the Union breaking apart.

"Mumbling idiot has no clue what the hell is going on! What a clown – shame one him. Traitor," read one comment posted next to the videos. "I'm embarrassed for you. To be so ignorant must be a gift," another read.

Vote No Borders, a new group which launched last week to "inject some positivity into the Union", has been posting "unpolished" first-person testimonials on YouTube, a video sharing website

Yet the flood of abusive messages that followed forced the group to disable the comment function under its videos within 48 hours and write to those involved amid fears they would be personally offended by the remarks.

A Vote No Borders spokesman said that people who had "stuck their head above the parapet" to speak out for the Union had been subjected to "constant bullying" from Nationalists.

Labour said the abusive behaviour on display "shames Scotland" while Yes Scotland, the pro-independence movement, called all forms of abuse "unacceptable".

The phenomenon of "cybernats" – pro-independence supporters who flood individuals or organisations that express pro-UK sentiments with abusive messages – has been seen throughout the referendum campaign.

David Bowie, the musician, Sir Chris Hoy, six-time Olympic gold medallist, and Susan Calman, a Scottish comedian, have all received internet abuse for discussing independence.

Vote No Borders, which has registered as an official pro-UK campaigner with the Electoral Commission, is backed by Malcolm Offord, a millionaire business investor.

The group announced its "people's campaign" would be pursuing a deliberately positive message last month amid growing criticism that the No campaign has been too negative.

Yet having convinced 10 supporters of the Union to discuss their views publicly despite the febrile state of the debate, the participants soon found themselves being personally attacked online.

One YouTube user wrote: "These folk truly are mushrooms that love to be covered in Unionist s****. Open your eyes you fools."

Others accused the volunteers of "playing the racist card" and being "stooge" actors while ridiculing their support for the UK.

When one middle aged woman said she got emotional at the thought of Scotland leaving the UK, a commenter wrote: "When she starts to pretend to cry I can't help but laugh". Another added: "Go home dear you are fooling no one."

A Vote No Borders spokesman said they have received hundreds of abusive messages over the last week and criticised attempts by Nationalists to locate Mr Offord's birth certificate and post it online.

"We are seeking to be positive in the face of a nationalist campaign which brands anything they don't agree with as 'Project Fear'," the spokesman said.

"According to the opinion polls, there is still a majority of people in Scotland who wish to remain in the Union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"In our view, they deserve a voice, and we are committed to providing them with a platform to share their views in a positive and welcoming environment."

Anne McGuire, Stirling Labour MP, said: "It is completely unacceptable to abuse an organisation or individual because they want to keep the UK together.

"No matter what people's views are on the future of our country, everybody is entitled to be heard with respect. This type of abusive behaviour shames Scotland."

A spokesperson for Yes Scotland said it encourages people on both sides of the debate to "always express their opinions in a reasonable, respectful and courteous manner", adding they have issued "robust social media guidelines" on the matter.

He added: "Abuse, from wherever it comes, is unacceptable but it should be noted that a recent poll (for the Scottish Sunday express) revealed that 21 per cent of those planning to vote Yes were subjected to abuse compared to 8 per cent for those voting No.

"It is incumbent on both sides of the referendum to behave in such a way that is a credit to Scotland. On the whole this is indeed the case, apart from a small minority on both sides who let the debate down."